In these days, many of us need metal riyals. Is it permissible for me to buy ten for nine? Please advise us.

The questioner : Your Eminence, the need for metal riyals is great these days. Is it permissible for me to buy ten for nine? Please advise us.

The Shaykh : Yes, it is permissible for a person to give ten paper riyals and take nine metal riyals, but on the condition that this is done hand-to-hand, due to the generality of the saying of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him): In reality, the value of the paper riyal is one riyal, without doubt, but it has a nominal value, not a real one. That is, the state established the metal riyal in exchange for the paper riyal, just as it originally established the silver riyal in exchange for the paper riyal. People used to exchange the paper riyal for a silver riyal. Now, how much is a silver riyal worth? Ten, meaning you do not get a silver riyal except for ten paper riyals. Originally, you would get a silver riyal for one paper riyal. So this pricing is a government system, whereas the reality is different. People sometimes prefer the metal riyal over the paper riyal, so its value increases. If that is done hand-to-hand, then there is no harm. Yes.